Englander E-News: City Funds, Enterprise Zones, the Gym and More ...

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Feb. 15, 2013

Working to Protect the City's Financial Health...

As Vice Chair of Budget & Finance Committee, I voted this week to
approve a plan to disencumber funds from projects and contracts that are no longer active in order to create a "Service Preservation Fund" within the City's Budget Stabilization Fund.

The final dollar amount could be up to $24 million, which could be
used in next year's budget to help offset the deficit in order to
maintain City service levels as we recover from the long economic
downturn. To see the motion, click here.

 - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District 

Working to Protect the Enterprise Zones...

On Feb. 8, I introduced a resolution stating the City of Los Angeles' opposition to reductions, changes, or eliminations of the State Enterprise Zone Program. 

Since 1984 the California Enterprise Zone program has provided businesses hiring credits, sales and use credits, and other valuable incentives to stimulate business growth, attract and retain businesses, and help businesses create jobs.  

I advocated strongly for the two recent expansions of the Enterprise Zones in Los Angeles, which included parts of Chatsworth and Northridge, so it would help our local businesses grow the economy. 

Large numbers of businesses in the Enterprise Zone areas have received hiring credits, sales and use tax credits, expense and interest deductions, DWP rate discounts, and other benefits. Those benefits have resulted in significant business cost relief, promoting job growth and economic improvement. 

Governor Brown proposed scaling back the Enterprise Zone Program and reducing the benefits that they offer. That could be devastating to thousands of Los Angeles businesses, increasing their cost of doing business, impacting their future growth plans, and potentially resulting in job losses. During these difficult tough economic times, we should be doing all we can to promote the growth of business. 
To see the resolution, click here. 

 - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Chatsworth Park South Gymnasium Re-Opened on 5 Year Anniversary of Closure...

I was proud to announce the re-opening of the gymnasium at Chatsworth Park South at a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 14, a major milestone in re-opening the park, which was closed in 2008 after lead and other contaminants were discovered. 

To see the Daily News story and video about the gymnasium re-opening, click, here. 

To see more photos from the re-opening in our photo galleries, click here. 

I was joined by Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Mike DeYoung from the U.S. Quad Rugby Association, members of Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, Chatsworth Historical Society and community members. 

The U.S. Quad Rugby Association, whose members had used the gymnasium
for 30 years for their wheelchair rugby games and practices, was displaced when the park was closed. In order to ensure that the wheelchair rugby teams can resume their practices and games at the gymnasium, we pledged to cover part of the cost of their usage fees. Mr. DeYoung announced that they will begin their wheelchair rugby practices in April. 

Other sports programs, and use of the gymnasium by the public by permit will begin at the end of February. 

Chatsworth Park South was closed on Valentine’s Day 2008 after lead
and other contaminants were discovered in the soil. The contaminants
came from lead pellets and clay pigeon fragments left behind from when
the property was used as a skeet shooting range in the 1960s. The City
purchased it and turned it into a public park in 1978. 

The Department of Recreation and Parks and the California Department
of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) entered into a voluntary clean-up
agreement, and the City began work with contractors on the assessment
and clean-up process, which is ongoing.

My office has worked closely with DTSC and Recreation and Parks to ensure the clean-up moves forward as quickly as possible so the public can safely use and enjoy the park again. We intervened very shortly after the closure to have the Chatsworth Historical Society’s Museum and the cultural-historical monument Homestead Acre and Minnie Palmer Cottage examined and then re-opened for the public once it was found to be safe and free of contamination. 

For specific information about the clean-up, visit
http://tiny.cc/DTSCChats or contact DTSC Project Manager Chand Sultana
at (818) 717-6552 or csultant@dtsc.ca.gov.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Congratulations to City Academic Decathlon Champions Granada Hills Charter High...

Granada Hills Charter High School’s Academic Decathlon team took the first place title in the Los Angeles regional decathlon competition for the third consecutive year. 

Granada Hills Charter beat out a competitive field with 56,805 out of a possible 65,400 points. The team was also awarded Gold medals in Art, Essay, Science and Super Quiz, Silver medals in Music, Mathematics and Social Science, Bronze medals in Language and Literature. Coach Nick Weber, an eight-year veteran of the competition, was awarded Coach of the Year. 

Academic Decathlon is a two-day competition that tests participants on a range of topics from math and science to art and literature in all kinds of formats. Granada Hills Charter was the national champion for the last two years and is the only charter school in over 30 years National Academic Decathlon history to claim the national title, and the third school ever to win back-to-back national titles. In March, Granada Hills Charter High competes in the state competition. 

For more information about the school or the Academic Decathlon, visit our website www.ghchs.com or contact Carrie Boutros, Director of Development and Outreach at (818) 360-2361 or cboutros@ghchs.com.

Community Nature Hike at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park…

Join the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association as they lead two community hikes through the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park this month. 

Rain cancels the hikes, so please check the weather the mornings of the events. Bring water, sunscreen and shoes appropriate for hiking. Dogs must be kept on a leash.  

Saturday, Feb. 16
9:00 am
Meet at: Larwin entrance to the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
10200 Larwin Ave., Chatsworth
(The entrance to the park is under the power lines)

With the recent rains, wildflowers are in full bloom. The 3.5 mile easy/moderate hike will take approximately three hours. 

Saturday, Feb. 23
11:00 am 
Meet at: Larwin entrance to Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
10200 Larwin Ave., Chatsworth

Learn about the unique history, ecology and topography of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and the Simi Hills. Santa Susana Mountain Park Association volunteer Dr. Elizabeth Harris leads this easy/moderate 3.5 mile, 2.5 hour interpretive loop. 

Founded in 1970, the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association works to protect and preserve our unique historic and geological treasures, the Chatsworth Hills, through recreational and educational events. 

For more information about the hikes or the Association, emailmail@ssmpa.com.

Take the Budget Challenge and Give Your Input On the L.A. City Budget...

You can be part of the City's budget process by participating in the Budget Challenge. To take the Budget Challenge, click here. 

The Budget Challenge is a budget balancing simulation. The budget amounts given for each policy option are estimates based on preliminary budget targets developed by the Mayor in anticipation of a $216 million deficit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14. 

Click on the "Your Thoughts" button throughout the survey to share your thoughts and concerns about budget balancing options and about City services in general. 

The results will help advise the Mayor and City Council about the budgetary priorities, needs and concerns of the community. The results will also be made available to the public. Be sure to add your ZIP code so that your community is represented. 

Battle of the Badges Competition to Raise the Most Blood Donations... 

Every year, the Los Angeles Fire Department and Police Departments participate in the Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition among more than 200 public safety agencies to see who can raise the most blood donations for the Red Cross. 

The Police and Fire Departments are holding several blood drives in the San Fernando Valley. 

In Southern California, less than 3% of the population donates blood, so supplies are low and your donations are badly needed. You can give the gift of life!

Monday, Feb. 18
6:30 am to 12:30 pm 
LAFD Station 89 
7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd. 
North Hollywood
To schedule your donation, 
call Capt. Darryl Mitchell or 
Capt. Steven Wynne at (818) 756-8689

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 
9:00 am to 8:00 pm 
LAPD Foothill Division
12760 Osborne St.
Pacoima 
To schedule your donation, 
call (800) 733-2767 or click here.

Thursday, Feb. 28
7:00 am to 1:00 pm 
LAFD Station 87
10124 Balboa Blvd. 
Granada Hills
To schedule your donation, 
call Capt.  Steve Perez (818) 756-8687

Blood donors will receive a gift bag including a Battle of the Badges T-Shirt, coupon for a free appetizer at a local restaurant, and tickets to a comedy club.  

To see all of the Battle of the Badge blood drive events, click here. 

City Attorney Candidates Forum Hosted by Kiwanis Club of Northridge...

All members of the community are invited to a City Attorney candidates forum hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Northridge in February at CSUN.  

Mike Feuer - Feb. 21
Carmen Trutanich - Feb. 28
12:00 pm
Orange Grove Bistro 
CSUN
Zelzah Ave. & Nordhoff St.
Northridge

The Kiwanis Club of Northridge is not supporting any candidate in the election for City Attorney, but is hosting the forum as a public service so that voters can learn more about the candidates, ask questions, and hear about their proposals and policies.  There is a charge of $16 for lunch. Free parking (90 minutes) is available in the Orange Grove Bistro parking lot, located on the CSUN campus at the northwest corner of Nordhoff St. and Zelzah Ave. 

RSVP to Sharon Rose, Northridge Kiwanis president, at (818) 708-8596 or by email  at srkiwanis1@aol.com.

Bicycle Master Plan - Traffic and Safety Review...

The City is holding several public hearings on the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan. In Sept. 2012, the state enacted a law to exempt restriping of urban streets for bicycle lanes. In order to be eligible for the exemption, the City must conduct an assessment of traffic and safety impacts of the proposed projects that are part of the Bicycle Master Plan, hold public hearings and hear and respond to public comment.

The meetings will include presentations by the Department of Transportation (LADOT), Department of City Planning as well as a public hearing. Following the hearings, a written report incorporating and responding to the public comments will be presented to the General Manager of LADOT and will be made available to the public. There will be one hearing in the San Fernando Valley. 

Valley Area
Thursday, Feb. 21
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
North Hollywood Regional Library
5211Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood 

There will also be a webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For details about how to log into watch the webinar, visit http://LADOTbikeblog.wordpress.com. 

The Los Angeles Bicycle plan, approved by the City Council in 2010, lays out a long-term goal of 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and calls for more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years. It suggests that such major arteries get bike lanes in the near future, and sets goals to make bicycling in the City a safer, more convenient, viable transportation form that is incorporated into the overall traffic and transportation routes, plans and patterns of the City. 

For more information, call David Somers at (213) 978-3307. 

Free CERT Training...

There is a great opportunity coming up for families to learn how to get prepared for earthquakes, wildfires, floods or other disasters at the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course in Chatsworth.

These courses could make all the difference for you and your family before, during and after a disaster. We applaud Chatsworth Neighborhood Council for sponsoring this important public safety resource for the community.

Thursdays
Through Feb. 21
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Chatsworth Library Meeting Room
21052 Devonshire St., Chatsworth

CERT trains community members in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. You will learn how to prepare for emergencies, what supplies, food and water you should have in your home or office, and most importantly, how to protect your family and your neighbors.

For more information email cert@chatsworthcouncil.org or call Clara at(818) 773-9655. 

Save the Date for the February "Year of Healthy Living" Event: The Wild West Chatsworth Community Bike Ride...

Save the date for the Wild West Chatsworth Community Bike Ride, a fun, free, family-friendly bike ride highlighting the sites, culture and history of the community, in partnership with CICLE (Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange).

On the approximately 7 mile ride, we will tour the Historic Olive Grove, the Homestead Acre and Chatsworth History Museum, Stoney Point Ranch, Mr. Ed's Barn, and the Munchbox, a 1950s burger stand which is a Cultural Historic Monument.

Saturday, Feb. 23
10:00 am
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
Devonshire Parking Lot
10046 Old Depot Plaza Rd., Chatsworth
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/9vlBG 

We will kick off the ride with a brief talk about bicycle safety, with free healthy snacks, coffee, juice and water donated by Alliance Beverage Partners of Chatsworth, Starbuck's Coffee and Western Bagel of Chatsworth. There will be a drawing for a great prize donated by REI. Sales of tickets for the drawing benefit CICLE, which is a non-profit organization working to promote bicycling as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportation choice.www.CICLE.org.

Please bring a bicycle in good working order. Participants should be able to ride a bike safely with the ability to brake, change gears, and balance while stopping and starting. We recommend all riders wear a helmet. All riders under 18 MUST wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent or guardian. Children under 8 years old should be on a tag-a-long, bike trailer, tandem, or other safe child-carrying device to participate in the ride.

For the Year of Healthy Living, we are holding a community activity or event every month to offer families in the community a fun way to get healthy. The events range from community hikes, walks and bike rides, to informational events on nutrition, healthcare and financial health.

For more information, email Julia@cicle.org or visit www.CICLE.org.

Join the Mile of Quarters and Help Raise Funds for At Risk Youth...

The West Valley Boys & Girls Club is holding their annual Mile of Quarters fundraiser event on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Westfield Topanga Mall. 

Every year, the West Valley Boys & Girls Club holds this fun, free event for families. The goal is to lay down a mile of quarters. All of the quarters will go toward West Valley Boys and Girls Club's after-school programs for at-risk youth. 

You don't need to bring your own quarters - donors have already given 63,000 quarters, worth $17,000. The Boys and Girls Club needs you to help lay them out to make a mile of quarters. There will also be free magic shows, and other entertainment for kids. 

Saturday, Feb. 23
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
12:00 pm - kick off ceremony
Westfield Topanga Mall, Lower Level
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills

For more information call (818) 610-1054 or visit www.WVBGC.org. 

CD 12 Non-Profit Summit - “Enriching the Community with the Arts”...

We invite all community-based organizations and non-profit organizations in the Northwest San Fernando Valley to join us for our next CD 12 Non-Profit Summit, “Enriching the Community with the Arts.” 

Monday, March 18
10:00 am to 11:30 am 
Devonshire PALS Youth Center
8721 Wilbur Ave.
Northridge

This is our third Non-Profit Summit. Our office strongly supports the arts by working with local artists on community projects, cultivating strategic partnerships, and promoting local arts events. We have successfully partnered with local artists to conduct a public art event at our Valley Family Festival and have transformed our new Community Service Center into a community art gallery.

Three great organizations are partnering on this Non-Profit Summit - the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and Arts for LA.

The panelists will provide information on grants and funding opportunities, programs available for artists, and ways for artists to learn advocacy and civic engagement. Organizations will share experiences and best practices. 

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 14 to Semee Park via email atSemee.Park@lacity.org or by calling (818) 882-1212.

Take the Library Survey and Help Shape the Future of Our Public Libraries...

Our Field Deputy Melody Jaramillo reports this week on a great way that you can support the Los Angeles Public Libraries. As part of the City Library Department's effort to create a strategic plan to enhance its programs and services for the residents of Los Angeles, it has launched an online Library service survey. 

The goal of the survey is to learn the views of community members on the Library services and programs and where they would like to see the Library system going in the future. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that our Libraries are providing the most desired and necessary services in the most effective and efficient manner possible. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, Feb. 18. 

To take the Library survey, click here.